I'm sick - Disney Fever - HELP!

[caimakale]

So my family and me got back from a week long vacation on August 21. It hasn't even been a month yet and I am dying to go back. For those of you who visit frequently, how do you do it? I tend to have a hard time saving money. Do you save the money? I think through the disneyland travel agency, you can pay a 10% deposit and then make monthly payments on a trip before you go. That option would be best suited for me, but what happens if the dates don't work out, can it be easily rescheduled?

I would love to fly southwest, they have the cheapest airfare out there if you have the "Ding" program (download on their site). I can fly my family out there from Salt Lake for about $60/person each way. The problem is, you only have a two month window (they set the dates) to fly and not all fares are available all the time.

I am just curious how everyone saves for your trips.

 

[iceskatejen]

In my case it's called live locally and have an annual pass. My only costs are gas and whatever food and/or merch I buy while there (and I get a discount on that). So for me it's one of the least expensive days out I can find as my pass is beyond paid for. It can cost me as much if not more to go to the movies and I'm not entertained as long. Since I go just about every week (and sometimes more than once a week), I figured that if I make 52 visits per year, it cost me less than $6 per visit to go for park admission and parking.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

I live about an hour to an hour and a half away from the park. I bought a Premium pass this year which really helps on discounts and free parking. The admission price for tickets is $56 for adults so you really get your money's worth with the pass.

When I plan to visit the park I just pay for gas and try to plan out my meals. Sometimes I crave Blue Bayou but I'll only eat there at lunch time since it's cheaper than their dinner prices. A couple places give an AP discount so every penny helps.

 

[laura&fam]

I live near Salt Lake too.

I set up a separate bank account just for our DL trip and put money in every month. Then we could wait and buy everything closer to our trip, but we've been saving for a year now.

Also if specials come up closer to your trip, or a personal conflict with the planned date your not charged a re-schedule fee.

 

[caimakale]

Hey laura,

Thats not a bad idea, I will have to do something like that. Out of site, out of mind type thing.

We actually live in Riverton, but most people would have no idea where Riverton is, that's why I mentioned Salt Lake.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I live in North Pole and I plan a trip every April.
I have a 5yr old reminds me of her trip. We used a travel agent one yr did not like the out come of that. I made my own plans and had a great time. Alaska Airline flies kids for free. You can also go through Alaska travel and they make ressie for you. I like when I make all of the ressie myself.

 

[clyde]

It will be slightly different for everyone's situation.

For myself (and family) in BC, Canada - I have been saving up our airmiles from the airmiles program for a bunch of years. Through their program, we were able to book our flights for five(although we still paid $750 in taxes and insurance), got $1500 in BestWestern Travel Cards, and four 6-day parkhopper tickets through the rewards system. I bought an Annual Pass, although that was mostly to get the Halloween tickets early - and to rub it in to the kids that I could go to Disneyland anytime I wanted over the next year.

I believe the same/similar program is offered in the States, but I do not know if the reward system is different. Plus there are multitudes of other rewards specific to credit cards, airlines, hotels, etc.

However, in reading these DIS boards, I have set up a savings account where I will allocate a percentage of my paycheque to be direct deposited. In addition I set up a $USD savings account to place any money that I would like to have on hand while I am in the USA. This will be a savings goal for next year, or perhaps in two years time, depending on how Disney addicted I get on my VERY FIRST VISIT TO DISNEYLAND. I'm starting to get extra excited now.

If the price of gas goes down, and we go in a warmer season next time, we may drive down next time, if time is not a factor in the holiday.

 

[caimakale]

I have set up a savings account where I will allocate a percentage of my paycheque to be direct deposited. In addition I set up a $USD savings account to place any money that I would like to have on hand while I am in the USA. This will be a savings goal for next year, or perhaps in two years time, depending on how Disney addicted I get on my VERY FIRST VISIT TO DISNEYLAND. I'm starting to get extra excited now.

I never thought to do the direct deposit thing. My company will deposit $$$ in mulitple accounts for me. I am just afraid that if it goes to my main bank, I will see it and possibly spend it, even if it's in savings.

I have a couple other bank accounts with other institutions that I will change to get some of my $$$ automatically each paycheck. That way it will be out of site out of mind.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We do DD also. It makes the saving much easier. When the temptation hits, just remember, no $$ no disney. You can also set up an account that requires 2 signatures.

 

[azgal81]

I'm the exact same way. I just went to disneyland the last week of August and I am itching to go back. My boyfriend and I talked about going back next November for the holidays but there's no way I can wait that long. So I'm trying to convince him it's in our best interest to go back next spring and buy an annual pass and go again for the holiday season.

I take surveys for extra disney money, save money each month for vacation expenses and use the money from my tax return each year. Recently I started saving cans for cash, don't know how much money that will give me yet but every little bit helps.

We also live in Arizona so we just drive to the park it's about six hours each way for us! Although it can get expensive but it's worth it.